How to Moderate a Panel (aka How Not to Eff It Up Too Much)
Sunday, October 29, 2017 / 11:00 AM
Moderating panels are stressful. That's just a fact. When you're a panelist on the panel, the preparation consists mostly of making sure you know what you're talking about. When you're being asked questions, you don't need to worry so much about directing the conversation.
But when you're the one steering the ship, that's a whole other ball game. So far this year, I've moderated about a half dozen panels (and been on about a dozen more), and most of them with anywhere from 2 to 4 panelists. That's a lot of people to talk to in 45 minutes about a wide range of topics.
So what makes for a successful panel? I've learned the hard way (by effing up) and the easy way (by being on panels with great moderators), and I've got at least one more panel to moderate before the year's end, so here are some tips and tricks that might help you through moderating your next panel:
1. Research your panelists.
Often times, panel organizers will provide you with bios, but even if that's the case, do your own research too. Look at their social media accounts, dig back through their YouTube videos, read other interviews they may or may not have done. It's OK if you aren't 100% familiar with someone on your panel, but by the time you get to the day of the panel, you should be able to talk about this person as if they're an actual friend.
And then practice introducing the panelists. I always recite bios of people in my head while I'm getting ready for my day – making coffee, doing my makeup, etc. – so that if I'm the one intro-ing them before the panel kicks off, I'm not just relying on them to tell the audience who they are. A good moderator should be able to make that introduction.
But when you're the one steering the ship, that's a whole other ball game. So far this year, I've moderated about a half dozen panels (and been on about a dozen more), and most of them with anywhere from 2 to 4 panelists. That's a lot of people to talk to in 45 minutes about a wide range of topics.
So what makes for a successful panel? I've learned the hard way (by effing up) and the easy way (by being on panels with great moderators), and I've got at least one more panel to moderate before the year's end, so here are some tips and tricks that might help you through moderating your next panel:
1. Research your panelists.
Often times, panel organizers will provide you with bios, but even if that's the case, do your own research too. Look at their social media accounts, dig back through their YouTube videos, read other interviews they may or may not have done. It's OK if you aren't 100% familiar with someone on your panel, but by the time you get to the day of the panel, you should be able to talk about this person as if they're an actual friend.
And then practice introducing the panelists. I always recite bios of people in my head while I'm getting ready for my day – making coffee, doing my makeup, etc. – so that if I'm the one intro-ing them before the panel kicks off, I'm not just relying on them to tell the audience who they are. A good moderator should be able to make that introduction.